Six Valley Men Arraigned on Child Pornography Charges

(Phoenix, Ariz. – Nov. 15, 2006) Six Valley men were arraigned in Maricopa County Superior Court today on charges of illegally downloading, possessing and distributing child pornography. Some of the photographs showed children as young as two in sexual situations with other children and adults.

The defendants were arrested on Nov. 2 and indicted last week. They are:

Miguel Arroyo, 22, of Phoenix, indicted on nine counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Charles Ault, 24, of Avondale, indicted on nine counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Don Benaglio, 33, of Scottsdale, indicted on five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Jeff Gascoyne, 26, of Phoenix, indicted on 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Jacob Gilmour, 19, of Glendale, indicted on two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Stephen Eric Leisner, 28, of Phoenix, indicted on 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

This case is the result of a joint investigation by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department and the Attorney General’s Office. If convicted, the defendants face a presumptive term of 17 years in prison for each count. Assistant Attorney General Gail Thackeray is prosecuting these cases.